This piece went to press before the scheduled final match of the FIFA U17 World Cup in the UAE last Friday between Mexico (defending champions) and Nigeria (set to win the Cup a record 4th time). Having pulverised Mexico 6-1 in our earlier encounter only a couple of weeks ago in this competition and emphatically subdued every other opposition, an upset, though possible in football, would, in the circumstances, be as unlikely as it would be unprecedented in the history of any FIFA World Cup. It was expected, therefore, that these Manu Garba-tutored 14 to 17-year olds would bring the Cup home once again.
It was so delightful to watch them play with such exuberance as would be typical of their age bracket. Conversely, their exceptional composure in critical areas in front of goal and in defence and the confidence with which they executed intricate manoeuvres belied what was supposed to be their relative inexperience. Nevertheless, I am aware that we are specially endowed and we only need to groom our players early to enable them to compete favourably with their contemporaries from other parts of the world.
Unfortunately, the flame of doubt regarding the eligibility of many of the players was stoked by the ‘NFF’ itself. Recall that within a period of only six months this year, as many of them as could have made an entire team were disqualified after complaints and protests were made locally and internationally concerning their “’NFF’-verified” ages.
Well, I want to take solace in recent assurances by our sports authorities that even FIFA attested that every member of our current squad passed the MRI test.
But even that confirmation raised serious questions for the ‘NFF’. I have seen all our controversial ‘youth teams’ since 1985 and this one would definitely rank among the best. If, indeed, our true U17s could be so dominant, why did our sports authorities consistently neglect to use them, preferring instead the self-limiting, development-stalling and reputation-damaging wrong-headed policy of using overage and ineligible players? How would it be explained that not even one of the entire current squad of players between the ages of 14 and 17 was listed as being in any secondary school?
While you may want to ponder over these questions too, let me share with you the thoughts of Most Reverend Felix Femi Ajakaye, Bishop of Ekiti Diocese of the Catholic Church, a distinguished and well-informed football fan who continued to follow our team’s progress from England where he was on an episcopal mission:
“Congratulations to you, my cherished Chief, and all the sincere stakeholders in the progress and development of the great game of football in our beloved country, Nigeria. Watching the present crop of Under-17 football team of Nigeria since the beginning of this year’s Under-17 World Cup, I can now say our effort in working for the promotion of youth football is gradually yielding fruitful results.
However, the struggle continues. We must maintain the pressure to be genuine. Yes, there is the need to get things right for things to be right with us.
We are now going to play Mexico in the final. This is a different game from the opening match in which we defeated them, 6-1. They are the defending Champions and having reached the final, they would like to believe that they can go all the way to winning the Cup. I hope our Eaglets will not be distracted by our overzealous politicians and officials of ‘NFF’.
Indeed, whatever happens, we must keep and monitor these young, skilful and talented players. They are committed and focused. They may form the crop of the future of Nigerian football. They remind me of our youthful days.
God bless Nigeria.”
Celebrating Coach Monday Perekeme Sinclair at 77
Last Sunday marked the 77th birthday of Monday P. Sinclair,ex-international, youth developer, and former gaffer of several clubs in Nigeria, and the national teams of Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, respectively. In consonance with his intellectual leanings, the launching of his book, The Power of Football Education, was the major activity to celebrate the occasion inYenagoa.
The 287-page book with 11 chapters in hard cover is a compilation of his articles and essays on football, albeit not in any thematic sequence.
From a professional perspective, the book has something for everyone: coaches, players, referees, and administrators. Fans and the general public too will find it very interesting. Generally, Sinclair’s intended message is easily delivered and understood, but many readers may find the rather flowery diction and the poetic ambience of the text obfuscating in certain areas.
You quickly come to the realisation, however, that Sinclair has outstanding knowledge of the established rules of teamwork and organised play while still being a connoisseur and lover of individual brilliance and creativity reminiscent of the Brazilian samba genre.
However, a reader who rightly expects an entirely factual narrative may be disappointed that the author does not seem to see any shortcoming or blemish in any named player or administrator, but portrays everyone as befitting only of praise.
No doubt this book will in the words of the author, “help propagate current ideas, trends and transformation on how football has developed,” but the author is capable of meeting the challenge to postulate novel or ground-breaking theories in a subsequent endeavour that may take the game to another level and be part of his legacy.
Sinclair impressively captures the beautiful game of football as a paradoxical blend of its constituent but opposite concepts of attack and defence. However, as emotive and capital-intensive as the game is, his perspective that it is after all just a game may be unnerving to many sponsors and fans.
‘The Power of Football Education’ is a commendable literary effort in a profession that is gaining prominence in our national consciousness. It is a captivating read that is guaranteed to be useful to everyone in the football family and beyond in different ways.
Congratulations!
July 01, 2012, 12:55:05 PM